More Issues For Ned Lamont And Connecticut's Democrat Party

 How Ned Lamont is still Governor in Connecticut amazes me.  What a mess Connecticut is in.  And it is his and the Connecticut Democrat Party's fault for the economic debacle that Connecticut is in-in 2020, with massive budget deficits, many businesses closing and a 22% unemployment rate.  And it is the record that the Connecticut Democrat Party is running its candidates for the non functioning State House of Representatives and State Senate in November on.  Thus a Democrat candidate running for either re election and or their first election can tell the voters not to worry about re opening your business, making a profit in your business (since we will tax it away), having a job (since we lost more jobs in these past six months than the past 50 years), the $150 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities that the state has, being able to attend school in person (since we all apparently have Covid-19), walking the right way down a supermarket aisle (since we all apparently have Covid-19) and most importantly being fined for not wearing a mask-being in a group of more than 25 people and or organizing an event with too many people than the Boston Consulting Group wants you to have.  This is again the real record that this failed political party is running on.  Don't worry about anything since our Dictatorship will give you a few scraps of food and some masks.  Think about it.  This is our state in 2020.  

Connecticut has turned into a Kingdom/Dictatorship.  It does not allow free movement, free speech and or free assembly.  All in direct violation of the Constitution, which is the law of the land.  Why hasn't anyone questioned this?  What are the real metrics to supposedly re open Connecticut during this crisis?  Are there metrics?  No one in Connecticut especially Ruler Ned Lamont can tell us what is really going on.  What a waste of our citizen resources and economic resources.  And what a waste of our economy.  For the real winners continue to be Lamont family invested hedge fund companies and their profits that continue to be paid by the state with Taxpayers monies.  What can be better than that?

Connecticut has very severe issues that really do not seem to bother Ned Lamont and or the Connecticut Democrat Party.  The stupidity with their rules and regulations should astound anyone.  For example-why can't you bring a grocery carriage into a bottle return area at the grocery store?  Does Covid-19 exist in 151st can and bottle that you bring back to the store since the limit is only 150 cans and bottles?  Some stores only give you a ten minute limit to do your returns.  Should all returnable cans and bottles be thrown away so that our bankrupt state can get the five cents instead of those consumers who pay for the return in the first place?  Does Covid-19 become evident at 10 minutes and one second while you are in the bottle return area?  How does plexiglass prevent Conid-19?  How does walking one way in a supermarket aisle prevent Covid-19?  This and much more insanity is our new norm for Ned Lamont and his Connecticut Democrat Party dictating these failed solutions to the masses of the state.  Do as I say or leave.  Think about those issues when you vote in November.  And think about the loss of freedoms also while you are voting in person this November also.    Enough is enough.

Connecticut Ranked In The Bottom Five Once Again

 The August 31, 2020 issue of Barron's had an article titled "The $1 Trillion Dollar Hole"  (https://www.barrons.com/articles/cities-and-states-are-facing-horrific-budget-holes-there-will-be-more-trouble-ahead-51598638702).  The article discusses a growing issue in our country of our fifty states ability to use and get credit due to large budget deficits and loss revenues.  Creditworthiness as defined by Investopedia (www.investopedia.com) is "Creditworthiness is how a lender determines that you will default on your debt obligations, or how worthy you are to receive new credit."  The article is very interesting when one reads how all the state's rank.  Connecticut is ranked 45th out of 50 states (Bottom five) having the distinction of the highest overall debt burden on a per capita and per GDP (Gross Domestic Product) basis.  This ranking should not come as a shock to Connecticut Taxpayers as we see how economically inept and irrational our state government operates day in and day out.  The Connecticut Democrat Party's political patronage, profits and partisanship are the economic rule with the heck with any concerns about debt.

As one can imagine and an area I have talked about in the past is how far in debt Connecticut is in 2020.  Connecticut has $145 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  To look at this debt in perspective it would take seven years of no state spending on anything whatsoever to pay it off.  This means that the state would have no more employees, no programs, nothing at all for seven years to pay it off.  If Connecticut actually had a plan to address this debt we would have seen major cuts in state spending and or a dedicated fixed amount to retire debt and not incur any new debt.  This has never happened for Connecticut in the past 30 years since the State Income Tax has taken effect.  Instead state spending and debt has skyrocketed into unmanageable and uncontrollable economic turmoil for both state businesses and taxpayers.  Connecticut has turned into a sinkhole state without enough assets to pay off its debts meaning that if Connecticut liquidated all of its assets that have value it still could not pay off its debt.  Thus it would have to somehow go bankrupt to pay off its bills.  This has to be done on a business or personal level when bankruptcy occurs.  Currently roughly 15% of the state budget just goes to debt service (interest) never mind trying to actually paying off any debt.  The bulk of the state budget goes to salaries, benefits, pensions and interest on the debt.  Little if any money is left to actually run Connecticut in any coherent economic form.

Can Connecticut survive the future with these economic issues now compounded by a rogue consulting group being the policy maker in the state rather than the State elected Legislature and a massive 22% unemployment rate?  Why should any incumbent State Senator or State Representative running for re election in November be elected again given these enormous short and long term economic problems (with the exception of a brave few conservative Republicans such as State Senator Rob Sampson)?  In my economic opinion Connecticut is on the verge of bankruptcy and that should be the record the Connecticut Democrat Party runs on in November.  They have helped to bankrupt the state for their personal gain.  Why?  Why is this not questioned daily except by the few who dare to speak out against this economic debacle?  Real statistics do not lie.  Connecticut needs real elected leadership rather than a de facto government ruled by a consulting group and irrational executive orders.  And it needs a plan to cut spending, debt and economically unsustainable pensions.  Being ranked 45th out of 50 states for creditworthiness is sickening to me and many others.  Enough is enough.

Weston Ulbrich For State Representative 85th District

The 85th State District in Connecticut represents a large portion of Wallingford.  Wallingford is a well run community that is led by a Republican Mayor and a Republican led Town Council.  Sadly the 85th District is represented by a tax and spend liberal Democrat who was first elected in 1980.  Democrat Mary Mushinsky has been in office for 40 years now.  She voted for the state income tax and every increase in state taxes in the state since that time.  She has been a proponent of every liberal piece of legislation that has been brought forth in Hartford since that time including the poorly written Police Accountability bill.  She has overseen the destruction of Connecticut's economy over the past 40 years and yet still manages to somehow get reelected term after term.  I wonder why?  Wallingford is a fiscally conservative community-why do we want a tax and spend liberal to represent us?  I know she does not represent my family here with these economically and socially irrational views.

Weston Ulbrich is the Republican candidate who is running against her this election.  I recently talked with him on several issues and was impressed with his knowledge of issues and his passion for Wallingford.  He stated from his website: "The past four decades of one-party rule at the State Assembly has weakened Connecticut’s economy. Residents have witnessed rising costs and high tax rates for far too long. Short-sighted decisions and big government policies made by career politicians have forced business and the next generation of talent to relocate. Connecticut’s reputation as a tough place to do business is getting worse, not better. Unemployment caused by COVID-19 will exacerbate our existing fiscal woes. I am determined to help reverse these negative trends by creating a more affordable Connecticut, especially for working families and small businesses."   I have wondered if Representative Mushinsky really understands that Connecticut has been in a perpetual economic decline since her state income tax was passed in 1991?  Connecticut in the past 30 years has been first in the country to enter a recession and one of the last states to come out of it.  Connecticut continues to rank in the top five highest taxes states in the country.  Connecticut has a massive unemployment rate and has had excessive unemployment since the 1990's.  Connecticut has a poor business climate.  Connecticut continues to see its young people move out of state.

He further stated: "If elected, I will be accountable and take responsibility during a crisis like the pandemic we face today. In times of adversity, I will seek solutions, develop trust and build stronger relationships. I promise to listen to the “People” of Wallingford and to decide our future together, rather than leaving hard choices up to the same select group of politicians. Connecticut needs a new generation of legislators who represents action and resolve. If you want a balanced candidate and a more affordable Connecticut, then please consider me for State Representative and elect Ulbrich for Wallingford."  

You can find information on him on his website (https://www.ulbrich2020.com/weston).  If you live in Wallingford's 85th District I urge you to replace Democrat Mary Mushinsky and her failed policies and elect Republican Weston Ulbrich instead.  We have had too many years of failed Democrat policies that have brought Connecticut to the brink of economic ruin.  Enough is enough.

Why Is Food Taxed At All In Connecticut?

Correct me if I am wrong but do we need food to live and survive?  Are we not supposed to eat protein, fruits and vegetables to provide nutrients to keep our bodies working?  Apparently food is a luxury now in Connecticut as we have seen with the latest tax scheme by the Connecticut Democrat Party in expanding the "food tax" to an enormous amount of items at a 7.35% rate.  Damage control has been in full gear by the Connecticut Democrat Party in its emails and public statements that it was not their intention to tax spinach in a bag along with other food items.  Tax and spend State Representative Mary Mushinsky 85th District (Wallingford) sent an email out on 9/19/19 stating "Grocery tax? That wasn’t the intent of our state budget!"  These reassuring words by her represent to me how incompetent the Connecticut Democrat Party is in governing.  Didn't the Connecticut Democrat Party vote on their new budget with all of their new taxes not knowing what was going to be taxed?  Are they that stupid?  And in damage control Governor Lamont by decree got the Department of Revenue Services to rescind some of the taxes on the newly taxed foods they deemed taxable.  The process of modifying this new food tax has to come from the state legislature through a vote to modify the tax bill not by the Governor stating to change it.  I suggest that the Connecticut Democrat Party along with its Governor read the State Constitution to see what the actual process is.  
While they are at it the Connecticut Democrat Party needs to explain to the remaining legal Connecticut Taxpayers why food is taxed at all if it is essential to our survival?  Or is food now a luxury according to the Connecticut Democrat Party and therefore must be taxed at one of the highest rates in the country at 7.35%?  State Representative Mary Mushinsky's email did little to clarify to me why food should be taxed at all in Connecticut.  
This new food tax and all of the other taxes Connecticut has on all aspects of our lives and doing business in the state have helped to create the economic downfall and chronic recession our state has been engulfed in for many years now.  It shows the impact and economic damage of years of Democrat Party rule that sadly Connecticut has had to endure.  
And I still do not have an answer to why is food taxed at all in Connecticut?  When will it be answered?  I am waiting and waiting and waiting.

Connecticut's New Secret Food Taxes

The Connecticut Democrat Party loves to tax its remaining legal citizens and businesses.  Striving to have the highest taxes in the country, the Connecticut Democrat Party was able to sneak into legislation a new 1% restaurant tax that increases the taxes you pay in the restaurant from 6.35% to 7.35%.  But this new "1% restaurant tax" is much more than that.
Beginning October 1 most items in the grocery store when you go shopping will be taxed at 7.35%.  Some of the items include the following: 5 or less donuts, muffins, pastries and rolls, ready cooked chicken or turkey, hot dogs in a bun, salad in a salad bar, bagels when individually prepared, warm popcorn or kettle corn and pizza whole or sliced just to name a few items.  In other words all prepared foods and most smaller quantities of food will be charged a sales tax.  Thus for example a senior citizen who may have difficulty in cooking will now be forced to pay a 7.35% sales tax on any ready to eat food they buy from their local grocery store.  Their cost of living will go up dramatically since they will be paying  an average of $30 to $40 a month more in food costs due to now having to pay a sales tax on the food they eat.  Being on a fixed income this will become a major issue for many senior citizens who will now be forced to cut back on food since it has just gone up 7.35% in cost.
The purpose of this new secret food tax is to raise revenue for our never ending Connecticut Democrat Party budget deficits and to increase state spending for political corruption and nepotism (as was seen this past week with the hiring of Ned Lamont's cousins son for a $52000 a year job).
The Connecticut Democrat Party apparently besides despising legal Connecticut citizens and legal taxpayers also want to make Connecticut's senior citizens suffer even more with taxing the food they eat.
This new food tax can only be viewed as a Socialist's dream tax that can cause economic pain on anyone who has to eat in our state.
The Connecticut Democrat Party continues its quest to rid the state of its remaining legal citizens and taxpayers along with now its senior citizens who will suffer the most with these new food taxes.
The solution to the Connecticut Democrat Party omnipotent and ruthless rule in our state is to either move out and or stop paying state taxes to have our state government go broke and then bankrupt.  But wait a minute isn't Connecticut bankrupt already with $100 billion dollars of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities?
Not really since the lies the Connecticut Democrat Party has been force feeding its legal citizens is really the truth of the ruling political elite who have no shame, no morals and no ability to govern in our once great state.

Can Connecticut's Economy Be Repaired?

Can Connecticut's economy be repaired?
Is there any hope for Connecticut's economy?
What can be done to make Connecticut a vibrant economy again?
Depending on what point of view you take Connecticut is a vast economic wasteland or it is one of the most prosperous socialist economies in the country.
If you are a Democrat your non stop command economy demands and laws have help to create a socialists dream of gun control, an excessive minimum wage, high taxes, a taking away of personal freedoms along with rampant illegal immigration with a more than generous welfare system.  The legal system does not pertain to you or your party.  Laws are meant to be broken.  Political nepotism rules.
If you are a Republican you are thinking about moving out of state as fast as you can.  You are supposedly always in the minority and have no voice or say in state government.  The state economy remains near last or last in all economic development, job creation and business development categories.  The state media is a feeding system for the Democrat Party thus their non objective reporting on all economic issues.
There is not really much being offered to change Connecticut's economy.  Connecticut's legal Taxpayers and businesses realize they work only to support a bloated state government whose only concern is state management and union employees salaries, benefits and pensions.  They also realize there is little they can do to address Connecticut's growing $100 billion dollars plus short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities since the Democrat Party could care less about it.  They also realize they have literally become indentured servants to Connecticut's state government.
Thus what can be done?
At this point literally nothing unless there is balance in state government.  The Connecticut Democrat Party has been in control of the state house for 40 plus years and an almost equal time for the state senate.  It is their political rule that has brought the state to its economic knees.  It has been their corruption and pay to play schemes that have disrupted our economy and forced its citizens to leave.
Cut spending, cut taxes, we all know it falls on deaf ears.  But it is what is necessary to get Connecticut to become a free economic system once again.  Think about it if you dare to.

Why Can't Connecticut's Government Cut Spending?

Why can't the government of Connecticut cut spending?  Why is the only alternatives offered each budget year are increases to the state budget, increases in both union and management state employees salaries, benefits and pensions along with new and raised taxes?  For 2019 it is no different.
This years events echoed the past eight long years of the Malloy regime.  The state has no budget deficit nor will any taxes be increased during the gubernatorial campaigns.  Immediately when the Democrats win control of all state offices through questionable election law violations, there is now a budget deficit, all new state commissioners that reek of political nepotism get pay increases and the new and increased taxes start to get listed.  The same tired arguments of the rich (however that is defined) don't ever pay enough in taxes, illegal immigrants deserve the same rights as legal Connecticut citizens and the Elitist Connecticut Democrat Party knows what good for you so shut and accept it.  This year's variation is that now tolls are the only way to repair a completely dysfunctional and not kept up highway, road and bridge system.  Yes implement tolls to add more fire to burning and failing Connecticut economy.
Debate is controlled and limited each legislative session.  The Elitist Connecticut Democrat Party tries to push through bills without any public hearing or allowing legislators to read and ask questions on bills.  Public debate is controlled as much as possible when it does not match the thought process of the Democrats.  Insults are hurled at the minority Republican legislators to put them in place and to try to silence them. 
This year the Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus is fighting back questioning finally every move the Democrats are making.  An anti-toll group is fighting back against the economically irrational tolls proposal that is being shoved down the throats of Connecticut drivers.  Connecticut Taxpayers are angry and fighting back.
And nothing has been said about Connecticut's debt crisis.  A debt of $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
The Connecticut Democrat Party has to be on the defensive as their failed economic policies and political nepotism have driven Connecticut into an economic sewer of no return.  Tax and spend policies have failed the state miserably yet Connecticut Taxpayers must accept them year in and year out.  In case the Connecticut Democrat Party hasn't noticed many businesses and citizens have moved out of state over the past eight years.  It is an economic fact that the Connecticut Democrat Party is in total denial of. 
Connecticut needs a change.  The Connecticut Democrat Party has failed the state for years now.  Tax and spend policies along with tolls will continue to damage the state economically.  But it will never be understood by those political elite who have manipulated Connecticut's economy to their advantage.  Why can't the government of Connecticut cut spending? And the vote with one's feet continues unabated thanks to the Connecticut Democrat Party.

More Connecticut Taxes-More,More,More

More Connecticut Taxes.
More, more, more.
It is a consistent theme in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Democrat Party likes to raise taxes since 1991.  They have been successful in raising them year in and year out.
The Connecticut Democrat Party likes to spend money for their political ruling class to keep them in power forever.
The Connecticut Democrat Party is not concerned in the least with the $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities the state currently has.
The Connecticut Democrat Party is not concerned at all with raising the minimum wage which will in effect force more businesses out of Connecticut.
The Connecticut Democrat Party does not worry about the costs of state employee union and management salaries, benefits and pensions.
The Connecticut Democrat Party are above rules and laws that govern our state-laws are meant to be broken and disregarded by them especially when election time comes.
More Connecticut Taxes.
More, more, more.
It is a consistent theme in Connecticut.
Ned Lamont in his brief time in office has also shown is a true  and loyal member of the Connecticut Democrat Party by lying during his campaign and his lack of decision making as Governor.
Ned Lamont obviously felt by investing $50 million dollars plus of his own money in all of the elections he has run he is entitled to do whatever he wants and the legal Connecticut voter and taxpayer be damned.
This entire legislative session could have been about cutting spending, cutting taxes, addressing the $100 billion dollar debt crisis and reforming state employee union and management salaries, benefits and pensions.  This was not even looked at.  Instead it was the chronic theme and new, higher taxes along with tolls will once again solve Connecticut's issues.
It doesn't and has not for years.
More Connecticut Taxes.
More, more, more.
Start voting with your feet-there are many other states better run than the oppressive and omnipotent one party rule of what was used to be "The Constitution State".   RIP Connecticut.

The Connecticut Democrat Party Wants These New Taxes

The Connecticut House Republicans listed the possible new taxes that have been considered by the Connecticut Democrat Party led Finance Committee in 2019.  They equal roughly over $2 billion dollars more in new and higher taxes over the next two years.  This comes after the $5 billion dollars in new and higher taxes by Democrat Dan Malloy wrote into law during his failed administration.
The taxes include the following:
A new 2% Tax on Capital Gains
Property Tax Credit – Removed Scheduled Expansion
Tax for Rideshare
Increase in Sales Tax on Meals
10% Tax Increase on Alcohol
Increase Tax rate on Movies 6% to 6.35%
Eliminate 5 year, $500 credit for STEM college graduates
Tax interior design services
Tax dry-cleaning and laundry services, incl. coin-operated
Tax parking
Tax on digital downloads from 1.0% to standard 6.35% rate
Tax Safety apparel
Maintain current 10% business surcharge set to expire in tax year 2019
Tax E-Cigarettes liquid at 75% wholesale
Increase Minimum Markup on Cigarettes
Increased Sales due to Ecig Excise
Maintain Hospital User Fee at FY 2019 level of $900 million
Implement recommendation of ambulatory surgical center tax study
Surcharge on Plastic Bags of 10 cents
Increase annual filing fee for LLC’s and LLP’s from $20 to $100
Eliminate increased exemption for social security income
Eliminate exemption for pension and annuity income
Eliminate the sales tax free week
Tax legal services
Tax on accounting services
Tax on architectural services
Tax on engineering services
Tax on real estate activities and agents/brokers
Tax on veterinary services
Tax on barber shops and beauty salons
Tax on massage therapists and electrology services
Tax on sports/recreation instruction and industries
Tax on horse boarding and training
Tax on travel arrangement and scenic transportation
Tax on services to buildings and dwellings
Tax on waste collection
Tax on Renovation and repair of residential property
Tax on Repair or maintenance of vessels
Tax on Winter boat storage
Tax on Increase tax on boats from 2.99% to standard 6.35% rate
Tax Increase hotel occupancy tax from 15% to 17%
Tax on Trade-ins for vehicles
Tax on Non-prescription drugs
Tax on Text books, college & professional schools
Tax on Newspapers and magazines
Tax on Connecticut credit unions
Tax on Campground rentals
Tax on Bicycle helmets
Tax on child car seats
Tax on vegetable seeds
A new 25 cent deposit on wine and liquor glass bottles
A new Add 5 cent bottle deposit to nips
A new tax on payroll to fund state-run Family Medical Leave
These new taxes show the incredible disrespect the Connecticut Democrat Party has for Connecticut Taxpayers.
These new taxes show the incredible lack of economic knowledge the Connecticut Democrat Party has for Connecticut's miserable economy.  More taxes have not resolved Connecticut's economic problems.
These new taxes show how the $5 billion dollars in new and higher taxes the Connecticut Democrat Party shoved down the throats of Connecticut Taxpayers during the past eight years did nothing to help solve chronic budget deficits and long term debt.
Connecticut still has $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities that this budget does not address.  And these new taxes will not address them either.
The final budget will probably write into law some of these new miracle taxes along with increases in base taxes.
And Connecticut will continue to be last in all economic and business categories for the next four years.  More of the same stale rhetoric brought to you by the failed Connecticut Democrat Party.
 

The Double Taxation Of Tolls

Tolls create a double taxation for Connecticut Taxpayers and businesses.  Toll taxes will only be passed on to consumers who are already paying toll taxes.
Here is an example.  A heating oil company must deliver oil to its customers.  For a heating oil company located in Meriden they must drive to the storage areas of New Haven to obtain their heating oil wholesale.  The drive to New Haven will entail them driving on I-91 and possibly I-95 depending on what exit they use to pick up the oil.  The tolls round trip for this may range from $4 to $8 depending upon time of day and what the state will actually charge for the tolls.  If this company must pick up heating oil on an average of 500 times per year this will increase their costs by $2000 to $4000 per year.  The heating oil in some cases will have to be transferred to other trucks and then sent out for delivery.  Based on scheduling and the needs of its customers the heating oil company will then route its truck or trucks to deliver their product.  Tolls because of their locations will be encountered by the heating oil company delivering to their customers.  Based on the number of deliveries this now adds an additional $2000 to their costs yearly depending upon time of day and what the state will actually charge for the tolls.  Taking a high end figure the heating oil company now has an additional $6000 in new costs yearly in the form of the toll taxes that have been implemented.
The heating oil company also must add an additional sales tax to the cost of their deliveries which is 6.35% that is passed to their customers due to this new tax.  The costs of tolls adds an additional five cents per gallon to the price of the heating oil.  Also the state has passed a "green tax" of roughly ten cents a gallon to heating oil to penalize them for supposedly being a non clean fuel.
The customer comes home from work from his or her job.  Their commute from Meriden to Milford now costs them an additional $20 a week or $80 per month due to the toll tax they must now pay.  They have received the bill for their heating oil delivery of 200 gallons.  Last month before the tolls and new taxes on heating oil they paid $2 a gallon or $400 for 200 gallons.  This delivery cost them $457.31, 200 gallons at $2.15 per gallon/$430 for the heating oil plus $27.31 for state sales tax on the bill.  Because of the supply and demand for heating oil the prices will fluctuate.  The customer now must come up with an additional $57.31 per month for the heating oil.  They also must come up with an additional $80 per month for the costs of the tolls.  The customer will not be getting a raise this year either due to the additional state taxes that the business they work for has to pay.
The customer must now cut costs a minimum of $137.31 per month due to the increased costs of tolls and heating oil.  However the costs at the grocery have increased dramatically also due to the new toll tax as all shipments to Connecticut have gone up with some trucking companies refusing to deliver to Connecticut due to its high taxes and tolls and also some trucking companies in the state have gone out of business since they can not make a profit here any more due to the high tolls and taxes.
The customer must now figure out a way to cut back to pay what they estimate is the additional 25% more they are paying at the grocery stores weekly for their food.  The customer figures now they have to come up with an additional $400 a month more between the toll tax and higher costs for all consumer goods they must purchase to live here in Connecticut.  They have no alternative but to eliminate their 401K contributions at work.  They have no alternative to lower their thermostats in their houses to try to save on heating oil.  They no longer spend any money on any form of entertainment or eating out.
After a year of tolls and increased prices Connecticut's economy is in a massive recession with huge budget deficits since toll revenues are not coming in at what was estimated and most non discretionary consumer spending has stopped thus lowering state sales tax revenue.  The Connecticut Democrat Party thus decides to raise tolls even higher and all other taxes even higher to make up for the shortfalls.  By the way the rest of New England is experiencing economic expansion and prosperity at this same time due to its lower taxes.
The economic example that I have described will become economic reality if toll taxes are passed.  Tolls are a form of double taxation. I urge you to contact your State Senators and State Representatives to express your concerns and opposition to tolls in Connecticut.  No tolls are needed and will damage even more a damaged state economy.  Enough is enough.

Where Do Connecticut Taxpayers Get Their Money From To Pay Their Taxes?

In the current harsh one party rule of the Connecticut Democrat Party that we are seeing in this current legislative session I really wonder if they know where Connecticut Taxpayers get their money from to pay their taxes?
As simplistic as this question is I think the Connecticut Democrat Party needs to understand where Connecticut Taxpayers get their money from and why it is not unlimited in nature.  Legal Connecticut Taxpayers may either own their own business and or work for a company and earn income.  This income is taxed in many ways with Federal income taxes, social security and medicare taxes automatically being taken out each pay period.  Also here in Connecticut a state income tax is levied and automatically taken out each pay period.  The state income tax has increased dramatically since its inception in 1991.  New for this session is an additional family leave tax of .05% to pay for a supposed twelve weeks of your pay to take care of a defined family member.  If you never use this leave you will not got any money back for what you payed into it nor has it been explained how this figure was developed or how it is sustainable to fund the program.
Connecticut has state taxes besides the income tax that are numerous.  We have state sales taxes, state use taxes, state excise taxes, state fees, state business taxes, state business licensing fees, state fuel taxes, state unemployment compensation taxes and other miscellaneous state taxes and fees that are assessed for far ranging areas and entities.
On a local level Connecticut has one of the highest property taxes in the country with wide ranging mill rates from town to town, city to city.  Connecticut Taxpayers must pay a local property tax on their home or condo, their vehicles, boats, trailers and campers.
If one adds up all of these taxes and you are a middle income earning couple you and your spouse will probably being paying 40% to 50% of your income for federal, state and local taxes here in Connecticut.  With all of the new taxes and tolls that are going to be passed this session this will increase our tax burden upwards to 48% to 58% of your income for federal, state and local taxes.  This means that you get to keep only 42 to 52 cents of each dollar you earn here in Connecticut.
Therefore I ask again if the Connecticut Democrat Party knows where Connecticut Taxpayers get their money from to pay their taxes?  If taxes and tolls are going to raised upwards of $2.5 billion dollars where will Connecticut Taxpayers get this additional money from?  Obviously Connecticut's economy will contract even more than has in the past as Connecticut Taxpayers reduce their consumer spending, their driving to avoid tolls, lower and or eliminate their savings and investments due to these massive tax increases.  Connecticut businesses will be eliminating jobs due to the higher minimum wage, costs of higher transportation due to tolls and higher taxes.  This should help cement Connecticut's place in the country as having the highest tax rates, the highest costs of living, the highest costs of doing business and the longest recessions of any other state.  And I can  guarantee you that Connecticut will continue to have budget deficits in the future and the roads and bridges will not be fixed or repaired either.  And nothing will be done to address Connecticut's $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
Connecticut Taxpayers have little alternative other to try to work more hours at their jobs, try to find part time jobs to earn more income to pay for all these new taxes and tolls.  Connecticut businesses have little alternative other than to eliminate jobs, reduce wages and or move to a low tax state such as Florida, South Carolina or Tennessee.  When this occurs it will create a massive ripple effect of fewer jobs and much lower tax revenues for Connecticut thereby increasing Connecticut's $100 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  This economic fact is lost on the economic ignorance of the Connecticut Democrat Party.
We can conclude that Connecticut Taxpayers will no longer be able to afford to pay their taxes in both the short and long run.  
We can also conclude that Connecticut businesses will no longer be able to operate and earn a profit  along with trying to pay higher taxes in both the short and long run.
We can also conclude that Connecticut's economy will be in a massive recession in both the short and long run.  
We can also conclude that Connecticut Democrat Party could care less about Connecticut.

Connecticut's New Tax: Connecticut's Unsustainable Paid Family Leave Law

AN ACT CONCERNING PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE.

To establish a paid family and medical leave system in Connecticut.

Introduced by: Labor and Public Employees Committee

---

Imagine leaving work and being paid up to $1000 a week for 12 weeks.  Imagine you are a small business with five or ten employees and all get to go out for 12 weeks under Connecticut's new paid Family Leave Law.  But under this new law small business owners must apparently "chill" and figure out how to run their businesses with less employees.  And or hire temporary employees only to fire them after a short period of time and thus pay higher state unemployment taxes.
The costs to Connecticut taxpayers would be $14 to $18 million dollars to start this program, an unknown amount of money to administer the program and a mandated .5% tax on all employee wages to supposedly pay for the program. How this tax will cover the upcoming onslaught of those individuals who are going to use and in many cases abuse the program is beyond me.  However I am confident that this tax will not be enough and thus they will be many increases of this tax in the future.  Again like the crumbling foundations tax Connecticut Taxpayers must pay we will be subsidizing another poorly run state program that will do little to help those who truly need help in taking care of family members.  This new payroll tax will take approximately $35 to $45 million dollars out of our economy monthly to help pay for this program in the short run.  Thus $35 to $45 million dollars will no longer be spent or saved in Connecticut on a monthly basis.  This loss of spending and saving will continue to make Connecticut's economy lag behind the rest of the country.
Why doesn't our state legislature meet with businesses and industry officials and develop a private sector solution to this supposed problem?  I would tend to believe that many employers in the state work with their employees who have issues that they must deal with ill family members.  Since when did taking care of your family become a function of state government? 
I am opposed to this new law that is being considered.  It is irrational to think that our state government bureaucracy has an ability to help people in need taking care of their families. 
Connecticut's has yet another new tax.  Connecticut's Unsustainable Paid Family Leave Law Tax.  More lies force fed to Connecticut Taxpayers.

The Connecticut Democrat Party's Delusional State Economy

Are the remaining Connecticut Taxpayers better off than they were in 2014?  2010?  According to Dan Malloy and the Connecticut Democrat Party you are supposedly better off than you were in those years and thus you must vote to keep the status quo of omnipotent one party rule continuing in Connecticut by electing Democrats this November.  Malloy has stated that the state is in much better shape today than when he took office in 2011.  Malloy and his fellow Democrats are delusional since the state has lost a massive amount of economic ground with enormous tax increases along with chronic budget deficits with close to $80 to $100 billion dollars of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities especially in state pensions.   Connecticut continues to rank near bottom in all economic categories in the country.  Malloy's approval numbers are horrific. Connecticut thanks to the Democrat Party and its omnipotent one party rule for years is in poor economic health and lacks a viable plan to address its massive debt.  Instead Connecticut works for its ruling elite cutting deals for jobs and bonds for its political pay offs.  How any Democrat running for office can state that Connecticut is on the right economic track is a delusional thought.  Dan Malloy and the Connecticut Democrat Party want you to believe that high taxes, a lack of job creation, political pay to play schemes, corporate welfare, political patronage jobs to get a full state pension after ten years of work and never ending union agreements are the norm. It is the way the Connecticut economy works for them and to their advanatge.  And Connecticut taxpayers should continue to pay for it without debate, without question and most importantly without resistance.
Economic resistance in the form of voting against all Connecticut Democrat candidates running for both state and national office should be unquestioned.  Yet the biased state media continues to work in step with the Connecticut Democrat Party in order to maintain this delusional economic status quo that has hurt our state for years to come by never questioning these policies or illegal actions. 
What will happen in November?  Voters are supposed to believe biased polls which favor Connecticut Democrats showing somehow they are in the lead in all state races.  Did the polls show President Trump leading?   Connecticut voters need to turn out in massive numbers in a few weeks and vote out of office this tired one party rule that has brought Connecticut to its economic knees.  The Connecticut Democrat Party's economic programs and policies do not work and have not worked for years now.  They do not deserve reelection.  We need an economic change in Connecticut.  Much lower taxes, economically friendly business policies and much lower and more efficient state spending is essential in 2019.  The delusional state economy that we have today must end.  It is time to take back Connecticut in 2018 by voting into office Republican candidates at all levels of government.

Don Crouch For State Representative Wallingford's 85th District

Don Crouch is the Republican candidate running against State Representative liberal Democrat Mary Mushinsky who has been in office since 1981, 37 long years.
Mushinsky has voted for the state income tax and for every tax increase in the past 37 years that has come up for a vote in the House.  She is a one dimensional candidate concerned only with environmental issues and has done little to address any of the pressing economic issues of the state.  She is only heard from in the years that she running for reelection with her taxpayer funded newsletters discussing the great job she is doing representing the special interest groups that run Connecticut.  Her ideas are stale and in my opinion she does not have a clue as to what is going on in her district nor with the economic debacle that she has helped to create in our state economy.
Don Crouch who graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1992 and is active in Wallingford.  He is a small business owner, a Commissioner of the Wallingford Recreation Commission, a member of the Wallingford 350th Jubilee Committee, Plan of Conservation and Development Implementation Committee, the Wallingford Republican Town Committee, and the Wallingford Elks Lodge.  He is a family man living in town with his wife and two daughters.  He is against tolls for the state and plans to oppose restrictive regulations on businesses and fight a proposed $15 minimum wage.  
Connecticut has massive economic issues to deal with that Mushinsky has avoided her entire career.  The most important question that she will not answer is what is her plan to address the $60 to $80 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities that Connecticut must pay in the future?  We can't tax ourselves any more out of the economic mess we are in nor be held hostage to special interest state labor groups both union and non union that dictate to Connecticut Taxpayers what they can have and not have.  Enough is enough of State Representative Mushinsky's tax and spend policies that have made Connecticut an economic nightmare with businesses and citizens moving out of state on a daily basis.
It Is Time To Take Back Connecticut In 2018.  It is time for a new beginning in Wallingford's 85th District by voting for Republican Don Crouch for State Representative.

 

Connecticut Jobs? 30 Long Years And Counting Representative Mushinsky.

The Connecticut Democrat Party makes me laugh.  The state economy in their limited view of the world revolves around a political patronage system that protects the salaries, benefits and pensions of both state management and state union workers.  There is always a need for state employees even though the state is bankrupt with $60 to $80 billion dollars of short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.
I laughed even harder when I received via email Democrat 85th District State Representative Mary Mushinsky's grand announcement of all of the new jobs in Connecticut.  Quoted from her email of 7/23/18: "Connecticut’s economy is seeing significant improvement with jobs being added to the workforce and unemployment at an historic low. According to the state Department of Labor, more than 6,000 jobs were created in June and the Governor reports Connecticut has added more than12,000 jobs in two months. Private sector employment now stands at more than 111 percent, fully recovering from pre-recession levels.  I believe Connecticut’s economic growth is a direct result of business-friendly policies my colleagues and I have championed in the Legislature."
Apparently after 30 years Connecticut has regained all of the jobs it lost since the 1988 recession!  What an accomplishment!  Representative Mushinsky who has been in office since 1980 has voted for the state income income tax, tolls, the two highest tax increases in the state's history along with every other tax increase in the 38 years she has been in office.  As a reminder to Representative Mushinsky, Wallingford has lost one of its largest taxpayers, Bristol Myers Squibb since it is closing its operations in November of this year.  Many high paying jobs are lost from this closing, many families who work there are moving out of Wallingford thus depressing housing prices in town and a massive amount of local tax revenue will be lost.  Thus I can not see how these supposed "business-friendly policies my colleagues and I have championed in the Legislature." did in keeping Bristol Myers Squibb in Wallingford nor their jobs being replaced as the new owners of the building wish to tear down this 30 year old building and replace it with a warehouse.
I also do not see how Connecticut has "business-friendly policies" since the state ranks at or near bottom in many business categories such as taxes, starting a new business, regulatory environment, economic climate and growth prospects to name a few areas.  If these "business-friendly policies" were working Connecticut would not have taken over 30 years to regain jobs it lost so long ago.  And how much do these new 6,000 jobs pay?  Or are they entry level service related jobs that pay minimum wage?
The Connecticut Democrat Party's economic policies have failed the state miserably for the past 30 years.  Representative Mushinsky and her party's platform have contributed greatly to our state's economic decline.  We can not afford another two years of her tax and spend policies in Wallingford nor of the lies of the Connecticut Democrat Party that are force fed to us on a daily basis.  Wallingford Taxpayers and Connecticut Taxpayers have had enough.  Maybe just maybe we could get a new State Representative to actually represent taxpayers in the 85th District in November.

The Future Of Connecticut?

What is the Connecticut Democrat Party's plan for the future of Connecticut?  I really do not know since they have not articulated any logical plan to save Connecticut from economic destruction.
Since it is election time the Connecticut Democrat Party candidates running for office for the first time and for reelection are cautious in their thoughts.  For example, State Representative for life Democrat Mary Mushinsky, Wallingford's 85th District has sent out a Connecticut Taxpayer financed reelection 4 color pamphlet extolling the virtues  and benefits of what she has supposedly done for the past two years in Hartford.  Mushinsky discusses liberal surface issues with no mention of the economic turmoil that has been dumped on the Connecticut Taxpayer by the Connecticut Democrat Party.  Reading this pamphlet I could not help but laugh at her statement on Public Act 18-41 "An Act Concerning Prescription Drug Costs"  Mushinsky stated: "By collecting more data and holding drug companies accountable, we can get closer to lowering drug costs for Connecticut residents."  It is interesting to note that Wallingford's largest taxpayer, Bristol Myers Squibb (a drug company) sold their building, will not relocate in town or in Connecticut causing many jobs to be lost and a massive amount of tax money to be lost to Wallingford.   I did not see that being mentioned in Mushinsky's reelection flyer.   Nor did I see anything about a plan to address Connecticut's $60 and $80 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  Oh well I guess that debt does not matter to the Connecticut Democrat Party.
The Connecticut Democrat Party's two candidates for Governor are equally economically inept to address Connecticut's $60 and $80 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  Both ex felon current Bridgeport Mayor Joe Gamin and multi-millionaire liberal Ned Lamont have not mentioned any plans to resolve Connecticut's perpetual debt crisis in curbing both increases in taxes and spending.  Both candidates embrace an economically unsustainable long term contractual agreement with its state unions who in turn embrace all things Democrat in the state.  Connecticut Taxpayers can expect much higher taxes with either a Lamont or Gamin Governorship.
What is the Connecticut Democrat Party's plan for the future of Connecticut?  Does Connecticut even have an economic future?  I really do not know.  Nor do I understand why anyone in November would vote for any of these candidates especially for Governor and here in the 85th District?
Connecticut is in desperate need of a change in their elected officials.  It can only occur by voting differently this November.